The big day was finally here! It was the day so many of us had been waiting for, along with Sonali & Daniel. It was also the reason I had come to India months ago. Finally all the preparations and hard work was in action.
The morning passed by quickly with all of the bridesmaids getting ready. I woke up and did my hair and makeup before going to Sonali's room where I knew it would be chaotic. I was correct. There were 7 bridesmaids running around doing hair and makeup at various stages of preparation. Gabby was there helping out with makeup as well. Sonali was in her room with the photographers and videographers having her getting ready shots taken. We kept stealing glances in the room and clicking pictures to see how beautiful she looked on her wedding day!
Once all the bridesmaids had their hair and makeup done we took our first set of photos in matching pink satin robes that I had brought from the US. On the back it read “bridesmaid” and on Sonalis it said “Bride”. Mother Maria wanted to be included too so she had a plain white one. We posed on the couch and on the balcony before it was time to change into our actual gowns. Each of us had stitched out gowns to our own liking with a different neckline on each. In designing the initial “will you be my bridesmaid” cards with blue flowers I had also influenced some of the elements of the wedding such as color scheme and flower colors. Of course blue was also Sonali's favorite color! Everyone looked all glammed up and the whole brides squad was looking very pretty in their matching outfits.
Sonali was finally ready and entered the room looking like an absolute princess! Her hair had been pulled back in an elaborate bun and a veil fell from the back of her hair. Her dress was covered in lace and beading and she looked so stunning. Mother Maria and Eugene came and gave her a blessing and I definitely had tears in my eyes getting to witness and be a part of my cousin's special day.
Sonali exited the room for her first look with Daniel and all the bridesmaids stood on the balcony overlooking the area wanting to catch a glimpse. She gracefully approached Daniel who was facing the other way and tapped his shoulder. He slowly turned around smiling ear to ear and gave her a big hug as all of the bridesmaids oohed and awed from above.
Sonali moved to a stairwell where her veil fell so perfectly on the stairs for family portraits and entourage pictures. The only thing missing was of course the boys. I was sent to tell the boys they needed to leave for church right now. Obviously, it took them a little longer as they obsessed over their boutonnieres but they eventually started moving. Many relatives had come to bless Sonali and give her their best wishes. The funniest was of course Nishant who approached Sonali, put his hands on her head and then said “I have no idea how to bless someone”. It sent us all howling but he gave it his best shot.
At the church, the priest had his own ways of doing weddings that focused much more on the sacrament than the photos and all of the current norms. He insisted rather than have the entourage walk first, the bride and groom must be escorted by their parents and walk in together first. He had his ways of doing things so everyone just got in line to follow. I walked in last with Daniel Fernandes.
The mass passed by in an hour and at the end Sonali went up and sang one song with the band which I thought was really special! Family photos followed after mass as we tried to capture the entire Saldanha family in one photo! I hope we got it. I wrangled Bubs and kept her entertained from crying out. We took a few entourage photos as well before heading to the venue for sunset beach photos.
By the time we reached Gigi’s, the venue where the reception was held, the sun was sinking rapidly and we caught the last light for our entourage beach photos. He had us walk forward with our partners, throw bouquets up, and all sorts of other poses. Most of all it was so beautiful to witness the photographers shoot photos of Daniel and Sonali. The lighting was so perfect and they looked so beautiful together on the beach. Such a perfect moment!
The venue was so well decorated! White pillars lined the red carpet adorned with floral arrangements. There were floral arrangements everywhere giving it a fancy feel. The dance floor was beautifully done with fabric and twinkling lights draped together with white lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
For our grand entrance, Sonali had chosen a Spanish song for us to walk in to or rather dance in to as we followed her to the dancefloor where the cake was standing. The cake was modeled after the invite I had designed with the ocean waves and a strand of gold shimmer. It was heavily inspired by the ocean and so fitting for a beach wedding. The emcee kicked off the evening by gathering everyone around the cake for the toast and cake cutting. Johnathan gave a short speech about Sonali and Daniel complement each other so well and the champagne was popped! We all counted down and the cake was cut and served. In India, the person who cuts the cake also goes around giving a small piece to everyone in their mouth so the whole entourage was given a piece while the rest of the crowd was served a prepared plum cake. The wedding cake was later distributed to people. Daniel and Sonali poured the champagne letting it cascade down the tower of glasses as everyone put their glasses together for a toast!
Next followed the first dance. Sonali had chosen two songs for the first dance, one of which was from High School Musical and was all too familiar. Fog poured out and the sparklers glistened under the lights creating a magical scene! It was all too pretty! Her second song was a jive and no one jives better than Sonali so we all know who was leading who for this one.
Everyone joined in the next song for the grand wedding March. People held on to each other's shoulders marching around in a massive circle until someone started a tunnel and each couple went through the tunnel adding to it at the end. Last, came Daniel and Sonali running through the tunnel of almost 250 people! It was especially funny as people stopped the couple to make them kiss or take a drink.
Tanya and I grabbed Sangria from the bar before hitting the dance floor for the rest of the evening. The music was very good. Sonali had hired a DJ from their college as well as a live band 24k and they played all of the crowd favorites from Goan classics to YMCA and Mamma Mia. I belted out my heart to every song with Tanya right next to me. It was so much fun to have all the cousins dancing with me!
The best dancer award of course goes to my grandma! She really knows how to shake a leg on the dance floor and looks so cute doing it. You can really tell from the smile on her face that she is having the time of her life. Many of my cousins were impressed by how much grandma was dancing!
Tanya and I danced the entire time until we could no longer feel our feet and the band stopped playing. For the last song, Sonali and Daniel were hoisted up into the air and paraded around on the dance floor until they met in the middle for a kiss. It was such fun!
Sonali and Daniel's wedding was definitely one of the most fun weddings I have been too! Tanya and I had danced the night away and by the end of it realized we had yet to eat so we sat down for a meal from the buffet. I opted for Goan food and it was surprisingly good! Fish and prawn rava fry will always be my favorite! Truly a night to remember!
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